Wireless modem module server system

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method for managing data for a wireless device, which includes a first memory for storing received data of a wireless device, a second memory for storing a network operational file, the operational file consisting of instructions for selecting a destination using a wireless module of the wireless device, and instruction steps for operating the network operational file for sending the received data using the wireless module to the selected destination.

[0001] CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED DOCUMENTS

[0002] This application incorporates herein by reference U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. ______, of Akihiko Toyoshima, for SYSTEM AND METHODFOR ACTIVATION OF A WIRELESS MODULE, filed Oct. 5, 2001 (Sony IPD50R4257.01); U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, of AkhikoToyoshima, for HOME NETWORK USING WIRELESS MODULE, filed Oct. ______,2001 (Sony IPD No. 50P4257.02) U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______,of Akhiko Toyoshima, for MULTIPLE WIRELESS FORMAT PHONE SYSTEM ANDMETHOD, filed Oct. 5, 2001 (Sony IPD No. 50P4257.03); U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. ______, of Akihiko Toyoshima, for WIRELESS MODULESECURITY SYSTEM AND METHOD, filed Oct. 5, 2001 (Sony IPD 50R4257.05),U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, of Akihiko Toyoshima, for ADEFAULT PORTAL SITE ACCESS WITH WIRELESS MODULE, filed Oct. ______, 2001(Sony IPD 50R4257.06); and U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, ofAkihiko Toyoshima, for SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EMBEDDEDFIRMWARE CODE UPDATE, filed Oct. 5, 2001 (Sony IPD 50R4257.07); and U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/928,582, of Baranowski, et al.; forWIRELESS MODULE, filed Aug. 13, 2001 (Sony IPD 50N3390); and ProvisionalPatent Application Serial No. 60/240,001; of Juan, et al, for PORTABLEWIRELESS MODEM, filed Oct. 13, 2000 (Sony IPD 50P4257), the benefitwhose priority date is hereby claimed.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

[0003] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document containsmaterial which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright ownerhas no objection to the facsimile reproduction of the patent document orthe patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Officepatent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rightswhatsoever.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0004] This invention relates to a removable wireless modem module anddata storage. More particularly, this invention relates to a host datastorage, wireless transmission module, and the efficient memoryallocation scheme for transferring data between the wireless memorymodule to the host data storage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Data at a remote wireless device, such as a digital camera,mobile telephone, PDA, or the like may be transferred to and utilized ona home computer and to be incorporated into e-mail documents, e-mails,and sent to the World Wide Web.

[0006] Generally, data is copied to the personal computer or transmittedvia e-mail using an on-line internet service provider via a modem fromthe user's personal computer. These methods take time and involvemulti-step procedures. It would be desirable to immediately sharepictures or data acquired by a remote wireless device with friends orrelatives.

[0007] Moreover, it is desirable to transmit data from a locationwithout personal computer access, to free up storage at the mobiledevice, in essence, a more efficient memory allocation system, wherebyrequiring less interchanging of memory module, as the memory storagedevice and utilizing a wide variety of connection means to on-lineservices, such as America On Line, internet service provider's, andother services. Since each of these services requires an account name,password, etc., and local telephone connections, therefore, such asystem as described, would require automatic modifications to includeall of these required settings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Currently, it is an object of the present invention to provide anelectronic mobile wireless device for collecting data at a remotelocation and transferring the data to a storage at a host location.

[0009] As shown in FIG. 1 of the related art, a remote device 25 of amobile host 10 includes a wireless module 20, a memory module 15 and mayalso include a memory module such as a Sony Memory Stick, when theMemory Stick is full, another memory stick will be interchanged therein.The data at the remote device will be transmitted to the base station 40and firther transmitted to a storage server 60 thorough the internet viaa router device 50.

[0010] Such storage facilities 70 located at the storage server mayinclude, for example, Sony's Image Station, or America On-Line's “GetPictures”, and Yahoo Pictures, etc. In an alternate manner the MemoryStick with the data will be decoupled from a remote device and coupledto the computer (not shown) with a memory stick slot and internetconnectivity.

[0011] The present invention is directed to a system and method thatprovides a way of directly storing at least a portion of collected datato an external host memory system.

[0012] The wireless modem device provides a conveniently mobile devicewhich receives data and transfers that data in real time to a separatestorage service at a remote location.

[0013] Hence, the present invention fulfills a need for mobile devicesof acting as a buffer memory device that periodically transfers data toan external storage memory, which can easily be accessed by a pluralityof host processes for processing the collected data.

[0014] Further, since the external storage memory already exists for useby other device functions, utilizing the unused space of the externaldevice memory increases overall hardware efficiency.

[0015] In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a systemfor managing data generated by mobile source or sources and includes ahost system with a storage unit, wherein the host unit and storage unitis coupled by a wireless modem so as to operate periodically to receivedata from one or more mobile devices, transfer the data at apredetermined point determined by a threshold (i.e., storage capacity,etc.), and empty the redundant data in the mobile unit when a transferof data is completed.

[0016] In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to amethod for managing data in a mobile device, including receiving datafrom one or more sources to a host device, and storing that data in amemory stick like device within the host device, transferring the datafrom the memory stick device to a location upon reaching a predeterminedcondition, and then repeating the process. Further, if the data which isaddressed at the mobile device, and the integrated available memory issufficient or near capacity, the data can be transferred immediately toserver device where such data can be easily retrieved.

[0017] The features of the invention believed to be novel are set forthwith particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself however,both as to organization and method of operation, together with furtherobjects and advantages thereof, may be best understood by reference tothe following description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0018] The following detailed description, given by way of example, andnot intended to limit the present invention solely thereto, will best beunderstood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0019]FIG. 1 shows a block diagram illustrating an overview of a relateddevice.

[0020]FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the wireless module.

[0021]FIG. 3 shows a block diagram overview of an illustrated embodimentof a system according to the present invention.

[0022]FIG. 4 shows a block diagram overview of a system according to thepresent invention, which includes a data collection function.

[0023]FIG. 5 shows a block diagram overview of a system according to thepresent invention, which includes the threshold space determinationfunctionality according to the present invention.

[0024]FIG. 6 shows a block diagram overview of a system according to thepresent invention, which includes a data flow of transmitting data.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] While the present invention has been particularly shown anddescribed with reference to a preferred embodiment(s), it will beunderstood that various changes and modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of this invention. It is intendedthat the appended claims be interpreted to cover the embodimentsdescribed herein and all equivalents thereto.

[0026] Turning to FIG. 2, a system block diagram of the wireless moduleis shown. The wireless module 100 includes an antenna 110 connected to atransceiver circuit. The transceiver circuit 115 is made up of aduplexer 120, a transmitter 130, and a receiver 140 connected therein.The transmitter 120 and receiver 140 of the transceiver circuit areconnected to a baseband signal processor circuit 150. The basebandsignal processor circuit 150 is connected to a microprocessor 170, whichare in turn connected to memories (160) and to an interface input/output(I/O) 180. A host or peripheral unit/device is also used to connect tothe wireless module 100 via interface I/O (180).

[0027] In a receive mode operation, wireless module 100 receives signalscontaining data packets via antenna 110 and forwards the receivedsignals and data packets to the duplexer 120, through receiver 140, andto the baseband signal processor circuit 150. The data packets are thenforwarded to microprocessor 170 and through interface I/O to the host.For example, the host device may be a PC, laptop, PDA, wirelesstelephone, or any other type of device or unit which receives the datapackets/received signals.

[0028] In a transmit mode operation, the wireless module 100 receivesdata from memory and the wireless module 100 then transmits data packetsutilizing at least one wireless format, including, but not limited to,CDMA one, CDMA 2000 (1x/3x, 1xEv DO, W-CDMA, GSM, GPRS, (dedicatedshort-range communications, or D.S.R.C) and the like.

[0029] The baseband signal processor 150 also includes amodulation/demodulation (hereinafter “modulation”) unit (not shown)connected to a data transfer unit. The modulation unit converts thereceived signals to a baseband signal and supplies the demodulatedbaseband signal to the data transfer unit where data packets can beextracted, e.g., an audio signal, a video signal, and control signals,from the received signals. The data transfer unit also sends theextracted data packets to microprocessor 170. When the host transmitssignals containing data packets, the modulation unit converts the datapackets into transmission signals which are sent to data transfer unitand to the transmitter or receiver.

[0030] The baseband signal processor 150 includes an optional datapacketize/depacketize unit (not shown) for packetizing/depacketizingtransmission signals and received signals prior to sending transmissionsignals and received signals to transceiver circuit and microprocessor170.

[0031] The baseband signal processor 150 also includes an errorcorrection unit (not shown) for correcting data error prior tocommunication data to transceiver circuit and microprocessor 170.

[0032] Turning now to FIG. 3, a system block diagram of the presentinvention is shown and includes a host base station 240, router 250,terminal 280, storage server 260 and storage device 270. The wirelessmodule 100, is coupled to a mobile host unit 210, which has a wirelesscommunications interface 230 to the host bast station 240.

[0033] A microprocessor (not shown) controls the mobile device 210,which is coupled to the communications wireless modem 100. Themicroprocessor controls the operation of the wireless device 100 and theinterchanges of data through the communication coupling 230, whichdirects the operation of the host base station 240.

[0034] When the mobile device 210 is purchased, it is provided with asoftware application, located on a disk for example, providing the hostbase station 240 software that enables the user to provide the specifiedinternet service provider, network addresses, families, friends,associates, related accounts, such as billing information. The user canalso select the storage server 260, or the storage device 270, dependingon the kind of mobile device being used.

[0035] Alternate the application software may be downloaded, via awireless coupling or a memory card reader, to a removable memory module,which can be coupled to the mobile device, or can simply be received bythe mobile device through a wireless coupling or a USB connection or thelike.

[0036] Further, the data can be downloaded to the mobile device 210 viathe host base station 240 and written to the mobile device's internalmemory or their removable memory card in the internal device.

[0037] The wireless module of the mobile device can disconnect themobile device from the host base station, so a user can operate themobile device. For example, if the mobile device is a camera, the usercan take numerous pictures, which are either stored in the internalmemory of the memory card of the camera, or in both of the camera memoryand the wireless module memory. After taking pictures, the user wouldreview the pictures, i.e., scroll through the images, and select thedesired pictures that are to be sent for printing, e-mailing or makinginto an album, and compose the order using a set of options. Selectionscan be made by utilizing a series of command options that would beincluded or activated by a keypad interface on the mobile device. Thisuser file will then be stored in the internal memory mobile device orthe wireless detachable memory module.

[0038] When the digital camera, for instance, does not have enoughmemory space, the host would transfer the data to the storage server, sothe digital camera's memory is increased. Also, a threshold indicatorcould indicate that a transfer operation is taking place. Upon thistransfer operation, the memory in the digital camera would becomeavailable, and the data now stored in the storage device at a remotelocation.

[0039] For printing digital photographs, the user would select quantity,print size and quantity level of the images to be printed. For example,a user might choose standard images or enlarged images. The print orderis specified in a utilization file that identifies the order, whichincludes pointers to the image files that store the required printorder. The host base station 240 would download the image data to astorage server 260 and the data would be stored in a storage device 270,and then be applied to a web-based application such as the Sony ImageStation, Yahoo Pictures, AOL Get Pictures, etc. Therein the user couldfurther redefine the kind of print operations. This would includedetermining the quantity, quality and which images are to be printed.The user would then be able to continue taking more photographs usingthe mobile device.

[0040] Further, the mobile device may include a send command (real-timecommand), which would enable the user to transmit the images to specifice-mail (via the server) addresses using appropriate communicationsprotocol, in essence, email to, etc. This would enable friends andrelatives to receive e-mail photographs in real-time or close toreal-time transmission.

[0041]FIG. 4 describes a memory allocation scheme in which the presentinvention can be implemented. Additionally, data is received at 320 andat step 330 the memory device size is assessed. It should be understoodthat the size of the memory device will vary, depending on the number ofstorage bytes available. Presently, it can store either a 32 k bytes, 64k bytes, 128 k bytes, or 256 k bytes, but of course this can beincreased.

[0042] Upon achieving a predetermined level based on the memory size andthe particular static mode, data forwarding signals are sent to the hostserver, and at step 340, the data is transmitted from the mobile devicethrough an interface to the host server. Alternatively, at step 350,data receivable at the mobile device can be sent by the base station.

[0043] In another mode of operation, the status of the mobile device isfirst determined, and when it is available, the forward data server isactuated and the data is transferred to the external memory storage.

[0044] The mobile host is notified that data is to be received. It willcheck if the received data has been received fully. If it is acceptable,the mobile host will receive the data to the memory device inside themobile host unit or attach memory device. However, if it cannot receivesuch memory due to memory space or other reasons, the mobile host willrequest that the data be forwarded to a storage server. Moreimportantly, depending on how the data is transferred, the base stationwill receive the data once and then be transferred to the server.

[0045]FIG. 5 shows data flow diagram on transmitting, and ascertainingtherein, if there is enough data space within the mobile module. In thisparticular case, the mobile host device has a program which checks theamount of space allocated. Depending on the threshold settings at step420, a decision can be made whether to store data internally 430, oralternatively, transmit data to a server 440.

[0046]FIG. 6 determines host inquiries 510 from the host base station.The server returns stored files in step 520. Accordingly, this is simplya way of responding to base station host updates.

[0047] Thus it is apparent that in accordance with the presentinvention, an apparatus that fully satisfies the objective, aims andadvantages is set forth above. While the invention has been described inconjunction with specific embodiments, it is evident that manyalternatives, modifications, permutations and variations will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoingdescription. Accordingly, it is intended that the present inventionembrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fallwithin the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for managing data for a wirelessdevice, comprising: a first memory for storing received data of awireless device; a second memory for storing a network operational file,said operational file consisting of instructions for selecting adestination using a wireless module of said wireless device, andinstruction means for operating the network operational file for sendingthe received data using the wireless module to the selected destination.2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second memories arelocated on the wireless module.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thenetwork operational file can be configured for the wireless device andthe selected destination.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theinstruction means automatically can send the received data when thefirst memory means exceeds a predetermined threshold.
 5. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the instruction means can send the received data inreal time to a selected destination.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the host can send data via the wireless module to the wirelessdevice.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising: wherein thehost can send data in real time via the wireless module to the wirelessdevice.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wireless device being adigital camera, PDA, laptop, MP3 player, or a wireless flash memorydevice.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: wherein thewireless device connectable to an ISDN, Cellular or DSP network.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 1, further comprising: wherein the wireless modulebeing intergrated into the wireless device.
 11. A system for managingdata in a wireless device, comprising: a wireless module; at least onesource of data stored in a memory module of said wireless module; aconfiguration means coupled to the memory module; and wherein saidconfiguration means transferring the stored data to a host device havingan external memory location at a predetermined point.
 12. The system ofclaim 9, wherein the configuration means selecting a default web addressor user selected web address to transfer the stored data.
 13. The systemof claim 9, wherein the memory size being in the order of 32 k bytes, 64k bytes, 128 k bytes, or 256 k bytes.
 14. The system of claim 9, whereinthe predetermined point is determined by the amount of data in thememory module.
 15. The system of claim 9, wherein the predeterminedpoint is determined by the availability of the host device to receivethe stored data.
 16. The system of claim 9, wherein the configurationmeans containing a user selected file for the wireless device and hostdestination.
 17. The system of claim 9, wherein the configuration meansenabling bidirectional data flow between the host and the wirelessdevice.
 18. The system of claim 9, wherein the configuration meansenabling real time data to be received or sent for the wireless deviceto the host.
 19. The system of claim 9, wherein the host being a basestation device coupled via a router storage server having the externalmemory location.
 20. A method for managing data for a wireless device,comprising: storing received data in a first memory of a wirelessdevice; storing a network operational file in a second memory of awireless module of the wireless device; instructing an operational fileconsisting of instructions for selecting a destination using a wirelessmodule, and operating by the instruction means the network operationalfile for sending the received data using the wireless module to theselected destination.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the first andsecond memories are located on the wireless module.
 22. The Method ofclaim 20, wherein the network operational file can be configured for thewireless device and the selected destination.
 23. The method of claim20, wherein the instruction means automatically can send the receiveddata when the first memory means exceeds a predetermined threshold. 24.The method of claim 20, wherein the instruction means can send thereceived data in real time to a selected destination.
 25. The method ofclaim 20, wherein the host can send data via the wireless module to thewireless device.
 26. The method of claim 25, further comprising: whereinthe host can send data in real time via the wireless module to thewireless device.
 27. The method of claim 20, Wherein the wireless devicebeing a digital camera, PDA, laptop, MP3 player, or a wireless flashmemory device.
 28. The method of claim 20, further comprising: whereinthe wireless device connectable to an ISDN, Cellular or DSP network. 29.The method of claim 20, further comprising: wherein the wireless modulebeing integrated into the wireless device.
 30. An apparatus for managingdata for a wireless device, comprising: a first memory means for storingreceived data of a wireless device; a second memory means for storing anetwork operational file, said operational file consisting ofinstructions for selecting a destination using a wireless module of saidwireless device, and instruction means for operating the networkoperational file for sending the received data using the wireless moduleto the selected destination.
 31. A system for managing data in awireless device, comprising: a wireless module; at least a singularsource means of data stored in a memory module means of said wirelessmodule; and a configuration means coupled to the memory module, whereinsaid configuration means transferring the stored data to a host meanshaving an external memory location at a predetermined point.